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Investment Q&A

Not investment advice or solicitation to buy/sell securities. Do your own due diligence and/or consult an advisor.

Q: You have referred to some stocks and ETFs as CORE. What percentage of portfolio would you recommend as core (relative to satellite holdings) and what would be the number of core stocks and ETFs for diversification. What core stocks and ETFs across all sectors would you recommend?.
Read Answer Asked by sam on October 22, 2020
Q: Further to my question on Oct 20 regarding switching from stocks to a more passive investing into ETF's that someone with little knowledge of investing could manage. I was wondering why you did not mention ETF's such as ZEB-banks, ZUT-utilities, ZIN-industrials, telecoms, bonds etc that would cover the different market segments. The dividends appear to be within the 4% range. Based on this would you recommend this type of etf and if so which etfs would you recommend for each of the Canadian market segments. Do you have any concerns re this strategy.
Thanks
D
Read Answer Asked by Wayne on October 21, 2020
Q: To avoid dividend withholding tax in an RRSP, the best solution from a tax perspective is to hold US ETFs that hold securities directly, such as VTI. This was your answer to my first question. Is there any downside for a Canadian RRSP investor to own a US listed ETF such as VOO? Thanks again.

Answer:
From a tax perspective, no.
Further question to this conversation. Is there any downside to a Canadian RRSP investor owning a US listed ETF from any other perspective than taxation? Any downside from any perspective. Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Terry on October 21, 2020
Q: Hi 5i team,
What is your favourite top pick for India ETF and your top pick for China ETF (preferably in C$)? Or would an emerging market ETF be a better investment approach? Which emerging market ETF you prefer that has a larger percentage invested in China and India? Thanks for you advice.
Read Answer Asked by Willie on October 21, 2020
Q: To whom it may concern ,
I have some GIC’s maturing but interest rates are so low that it is hardly worth rolling them over. I am looking for some alternatives with high security and better Yield. I am thinking perhaps some bank stocks or Vanguard products and would appreciate your opinion or any other advice you may have.
Thank you for your valuable advice..
Ernie Trosch
Read Answer Asked by Ernest on October 21, 2020
Q: I am down in XEI and ZRE about 20% and 25% respectively;
in DGRO 2%.
Do you think it is worth waiting for a turnaround or should I
look to exchange for something more hopeful?
Although DGRO is only down a bit it has never gone up.
Would something like VUG be more growthy?
I would appreciate your assessment.
Thanks.
Read Answer Asked by Sam on October 20, 2020
Q: Hello 5i,
As always, a huge thank you for all you do!!!
Income-focused investor.
My question is in response to a previous question, in which answer to, you seemed to favour PID over ZDI. I hold ZDI and have previously discounted PID as an option for two specific reasons: 1) ZDI is almost 3x larger in market cap (328 million versus 124 million (from Globeinvest)) and also the average volume is many times greater (today's volume notwithstanding - PID seems relatively illiquid). I have seen previous answers re: ETF's in general where you are less keen on what are almost micro-cap ETF's for other than the most niche of offerings. I have occasionally had concerns about ZDI's relatively small market cap as it is. The yields between these two are only about 1% with ZDI being marginally higher. So, given the foregoing, do you see the growth profile of PID so much of an advantage that you would still endorse it over ZDI? I would have no problem switching, but my previous concerns would need to be allayed somewhat before considering the move.
In general, what would be the "line" for an ETF market cap below which you would not endorse?
Your thoughts??
Many thanks - be well and stay safe!!
Cheers,
Mike
Read Answer Asked by Mike on October 20, 2020
Q: In recent questions, you have recommended VEE as a Canadian emerging markets ETF. In the past, you often recommended ZEM. Is this observation correct? If it is correct, why do you now prefer VEE to ZEM?

For a TFSA account, would you still prefer VEE to ZEM? If I am reading the company information correctly, ZEM appears to be more tax efficient and has had a higher return over the last 5 years.

Your advice is most appreciated. Thank you.
Read Answer Asked by Dale on October 20, 2020
Q: Thanks for the presentations at the Canadian Fin. Summit.

My question is regarding taxation of ETF's. I'd like to know if I understood correctly. I have VWO, GDXJ and ZID all in my RRSP (USD and CAD accounts respectively). Are you advising that they should be moved to non-registered accounts?

Read Answer Asked by James on October 20, 2020
Q: Good day!

I've noticed a trend with respect to your recommendations for RESP ETF holdings with a longer timeframe (10-15yrs). You seem to like VGRO +/- IWO. I'm looking for growth and can tolerate risk. Currency doesn't matter.

VGRO has a 19.9% weighing of bond ETF's and the rest are a combination of other vanguard ETF's. In looking at performance since its inception, it lags behind IWO which often lags behind the S&P 500 ETFs. From a non-expert viewpoint it would seem that a combination of large and mid cap US/CAN ETF's would achieve similar purpose and improve returns by eliminating the bond component.

1. What am I missing re VGRO? is it that the bond component satisfies the usual 80/20 combination as an all-in-one and is simply easy?

2. If you were to improve the 'all-in-one' VGRO using a combination of ETF's, which US/CAN growth/index ETF's would you assemble to eliminate the bond component? Perhaps a combination of XIC, VFV/ZSP/VOO, VTI, VUG, ZQQ or others you think work better?

3. Out of the S&P 500 ETF's, do you have a preference between ZSP or VFV? Is there an advantage to holding the US listed SPY, IVV or VOO vs the Canadian-listed? and if so, which do you prefer?

4. If you were to devote 25% of the RESP to high potential equities, which would you choose?

Thanks!
Read Answer Asked by Bart on October 20, 2020
Q: Hi guys,
RE: FNGS .. MicroSectors FANG+ ETN
I came across this while researching tech ETF's.
This is the description on the RBC Direct Investing website.
The investment seeks to link the return to the performance of the gross total return version of the NYSE® FANG+™ Index. The index is an equal-dollar weighted index designed to represent a segment of the technology and consumer discretionary sectors consisting of highly-traded growth stocks of technology and tech-enabled companies. The notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Bank of Montreal. Each note will have an initial principal amount of $50.
BMO Investorline does not have it in their menu.
Please give me your insights and opinion on this product.
Thanks as always,
Steve

Read Answer Asked by STEVEN on October 20, 2020
Q: My wife and I are 80 years old and we live off the dividends from our RRIF's which are totally invested in stocks as well as the CPP.
Looking ahead my wife who has not been involved in the stock market would have a difficult time managing on her own. With this in mind I am contemplating going from stocks for some or all and switching to ETF's covering the different market segments making a passive portfolio that would require little maintenance . Appreciate your thoughts on this strategy and what would be your favourite ETF's by market segment. Looking for approx 4% or higher dividend with little or moderate growth.
Regards

D


Read Answer Asked by Wayne on October 20, 2020
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